Birth story of astrid renee

Sometimes birth emergencies happen at home too…

Thursday evening 06/11 I started having contractions. Nothing serious, a few an hour and they were not very strong. My amazing midwife, Emily, wanted to come check up on me, just in case. I was 5cm dilated but contractions still very weak and inconsistent. She decided to spend the night just in case. The next morning Friday 06/12 no changes. I told her she could go and that I would be okay and would let her know if anything changed. She told me she would come back that afternoon or evening when she finished her prenatal appointments that she had already scheduled - to check on me. Before leaving she gave me a list of stuff to do that we hoped would get things moving by the evening. After she left we ordered a big breakfast from scramblers and I worked on the list.

Around 11am Chris, Freya and I all laid down together to take a nap. 1:08pm I woke up from my nap to very strong contractions and felt the need to use the restroom. While trying to go #2 I felt a "pop" in my vagina and was instantly like "holy shit, did my water break?" I immediately text Emily and told her what happened. I was unsure if that pop was my water tho because nothing really came out. She told me to lay down for a minute and then get up and see if anything came out and that she was going to head my way. As soon as I laid down I had 3 strong contractions 2-3 minutes apart. After the third I got up and sure enough I was leaking! I text Emily again and told her yep it is happening! I then text my photographer and called my mom. Within minutes my contractions got SO strong I could barely talk. I was on my couch barking orders at Chris lol I was STRESSED because I was not expecting to have Astrid yet and did not have everything prepared! My contractions were back to back and unbearable.

I needed more room, so I had Chris help me back into out bedroom so I could get on my hands and knees in our bed. I told him I felt like I needed to push so he needed to fill up the tub. I wasn't going to be able to wait for Emily or anyone else. I was certain they wouldn't make it. I called Emily again and told her I was feeling the urge to push. She told me to hold out as long as I could - that she was almost there (She knew I was at risk for a hemorrhage based on my history and really wanted to be there to safely support). A few minutes later everyone showed up at once pretty much. My mom, Emily, Katie and Wantina (the other midwife and Emily’s assistant). They started setting up the pool in my living room while I continued with my contractions in my bedroom. Emily came in and was rubbing my back and helping me through my contractions. She asked me if I wanted her to check me, I agreed. I was fully dilated and the urge to push was so strong.

I told her I couldn't wait for the pool… I HAD to get in the bathtub that I had Chris fill up just 10 minutes before. After a VERY strong contraction she helped me out of my bed.. As soon as I stood up I felt a gush and said "Nope! She is coming right now!" I laid back down and Emily yelled for Wantina who rushed into the room and immediately yelled for Chris!

Astrid was already coming out and I hadn't even began to push! Chris got in there right as I was pushing. On the second push Emily told me Astrid's head was out and her hand came with it! Her anterior shoulder was stuck which she dislodged quickly and on the next push she was out! At 2:53pm my sweet girl was earth side!! Less than 2 hours of active labor, it was INSANE!! As soon as Astrid came out and Emily put her on my chest - a knot that was in her cord fell out of me - which was a bit of a shock to everyone. lol.

My photographer walked in right after this. As you can see from the first picture I had lost a lot of blood already and my placenta had not even come out yet. Emily immediately began caring for me. Once I delivered the placenta, the blood was really coming out.  

Thankfully being the awesome midwife Emily is, she had medicine ready and gave it to me to help my uterus contract to stop the bleeding. She also started using pressure on my uterus, helping it contract. I bled a lot at the hospital with Freya too, but felt safer and calmer with the care Emily gave me at home. I also felt way better after. My hemoglobin was back to normal by my one week check-up.

I am so thankful for Emily, Wantina and Katie. They were all seriously amazing! They handled everything so well and were so nurturing. I mean come on, did your OB fan you after you gave birth? Or help you to the bathroom? Get you body armors and chap stick? Doubtful. The care I have received and still continue to from Emily is unlike any care I have had from any other healthcare provider. She is seriously amazing and has become one of my very favorite people. I love her to death and HIGHLY recommend her to anyone considering a home birth. She will be my go to with all my future pregnancies for sure! 

Birth Photography by the lovely Stacey Reid, founder of Cincy Birth Stories. She is amazing!